reviews of British gardens and nurseries, large and small.
If you happen to live in Northamptonshire or Oxfordshire you may possibly have heard of Wappenham, but I would like to bet that not many people know of this village's existence. It's a tiny village - sadly no pub or shop but what it does have is a number of jolly nice gardens. We were... Continue Reading →
Wakehurst is a pleasingly placed botanic garden, situated only a few miles from Gatwick and easily accessible from the M23. Visiting gardens in winter usually means fewer crowds but on this bright February day there were a huge number of families and visitors enjoying the space and freedom that Wakehurst provides. Owned by the National... Continue Reading →
Thousands of crocus tommasinianus are the main reason for a February garden visit to Little Court garden in the pretty village of Crawley near Winchester in Hampshire. Owner Patricia Elkington has been opening in aid of the National Garden Scheme since 1984 and this year she will be generously welcoming visitors from February to June.... Continue Reading →
As a South East of England dweller, I'm accustomed to National Trust properties being over-run with visitors, car-parks bursting at the seams and having to wait for a table in a tea room. Not so in quieter parts of England, such as Northamptonshire. It came as something of a surprise to note that Canons Ashby... Continue Reading →
Who knew that the Surrey market town of Guildford was home to an important English Heritage Grade II Listed Garden? Well not me that's for sure. Designed by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe in 1956-57 to symbolise the flight of the first Sputnik, the rooftop Water Garden was built for Harvey's department store & is described by... Continue Reading →
'That tree' overlooking the estuary at Salcombe is a much-loved landmark & situated in the grounds of Woodcot, a listed Georgian house perched high above the town. Set in glorious and floriferous grounds, the house (divided into flats) opens its gardens each summer to raise money for the local minibus. An apron of lawn surrounds... Continue Reading →
The Old Rectory, Bletchingly is the sort of NGS garden that everyone hopes to stumble across. The property comprises a handsome honeyed stone Georgian house set amidst country meadows and it is hard to believe that the busy M23 and Gatwick airport are a mere stone's throw away. Approached via a narrow tree-lined lane,... Continue Reading →
Thenford gardens and arboretum are seldom open to the public so it was a privilege indeed to be able to take a look around the gardens in winter to admire the 555 varieties of snowdrops. Gardener Emma Thick (known on Twitter as the snowdrop lady) is an extraordinary galanthophile, so committed to her... Continue Reading →
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